Blood Bank

Bon Iver - Blood Bank

Blood Bank
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Music CD Cover

Artist: Bon Iver
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Single
CD Release Date: 2009-01-20
Music Label: Jagjaguwar
Soundtracks:
  1. Blood Bank
  2. Beach Baby
  3. Babys
  4. Woods

Free Music Notes for Blood Bank

Free Music Review: Grey harmony for the heart
Hit: 5 Stars

How to describe the music of Justin Vernon? The concept is not new--talented guy, sort of lo-fi recording set up, guitar. Nothing new. Yet, somehow, this guy coaxes austere majesty from nothingness. If you are interested in the EP, then you probably already have For Emma, Forever Ago. Clearly, that is the place to start for Bon Iver. It is a nearly perfect album, stark and haunting in its bleakness.

But lets assume you already know that. What about this EP, Blood Bank? Well, if you were hoping for something new, you're gonna get it. If you were hoping for more of the same, you're gonna get that too. And I mean both of those things in the best possible way. Justin's guitar playing remains hypnotic, a drone pushed to the background on which he layers vocal track after vocal track. These multitracked wonders of harmony and, if not dissonance, then perhaps near harmony are a big part of what make him so special. He uses his full range, including a very interesting falsetto, throughout each of his songs, creating an insular and fascinating sound world. Lyrics float in and out of the haze, struggling to be understood. The words are important, but not as important as the raw feeling that you get from the sounds.

The title track is the one that a lot of folks have heard--it is beautiful and perhaps the most similar to the first album. But from there, things start to grow and change. "Babys" features a repeated piano figure instead of a guitar drone, and it is definitely a little bit of a surprise, but as always, the bleakness and grandiosity both somehow get to you. How can so much music fit into so little tune? Yet this music is not without melody--melody just reveals itself slowly, much like the pleasure of listening to this disc.

The final song, entitled Woods, is a sidetrip for us as best as I can figure. I doubt that this will be the way that Bon Iver composes in the future, but boy is it amazing here. He uses a vocoder (!) as a foil for his magnificent harmonies. The vocals are more layered than ever--that is the point of the song--and individual melodies twine around each other like vines climbing a snake, twisting and stretching, revealing subtle beauties in their bizarrely shifting, howling chords. It brings Imogen Heap (if she were a wild werewolf) to mind, but really is a thing unto itself. Haunting, really haunting, and lovely.

If you are already sold on Bon Iver, don't hesitate. This is a really enjoyable stop on the journey of Justin's career. Does it herald more experimentation on a longer album? Or is he just playing, honing things on the side? I'm not certain. But I will be watching this guy, he is so remarkable. If you don't know anythign about this band, this record is certainly not a bad place to start--it is short and spare and lovely. If you have the money and the attention span, I'd actually consider buying both this EP and his previous album right off the bat. If you must buy one, get the album first, and once you are hooked come back for Blood Bank. You won't be able to stop yourself.
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Blood Bank Poster

This four-song collection continues down the path forged by 2008's critically acclaimed "For Emma, Forever Ago". Bon Iver's snow-blanketed harmonies live across the seasons. As much as "Emma" is about the cold, "Blood Bank" is about the warmth that gets you through it. Both expansive and intimate, these songs explore the darker and lighter natures of the seasons and what they signify, and offer a glimpse into the natural energy and refined craftsmanship that characterize Justin Vernon's music.

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